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(Online) the Essence of Music in Political Campaigns Sunday Nnamani N.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2B):423-427 Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences ISSN 2347-5374 (Online) Sch. J. Arts Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2B):423-427 ISSN 2347-9493 (Print) ©Scholars Academic and Scientific Publishers (SAS Publishers) (An International Publisher for Academic and Scientific Resources) The Essence of Music in Political Campaigns in Nigeria: The Igbo Ethnic Group Dr Sunday N. Nnamani Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, P.M.B. 1010 Abakiliki Ebonyi State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Dr Sunday N. Nnamani Email: [email protected] Abstract: Music in Nigeria essentially derives its origin and versatility from the oral tradition or folklore of the different ethnic groups that make up the Nigerian nation. The varying musical styles may be observed within the large culturally diverse groups of people in Nigeria and the variety among the cultures are truly enormous, rich and exciting. These are different musical styles for the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba tribes. Politically, music had been a handmaid of politics from early times. This strong tie is based on the grounds of the value of music in political education and engineering processes. No political programme can succeed without effective education made possible with music as the propagandist’s vehicle. Thus Bebey[18, p-2] concluded this when he said that “it would be hard to find a head of state in Africa who cannot claim that his governmental programme has been set to music, sung or danced. Keywords: Music, Politics, Political Campaign, Dance. INTRODUCTION A series of planned activities that are intended Music is sound arranged into pleasing or to achieve a particular social, commercial or political interesting patterns that forms an important part of aim. many cultural and social activities. People use music to express feelings and ideas. It also serves to entertain Music in Contemporary Nigeria and relax [1, p-27]. In the world’s view, conversely, Following the advent and the influx of many music cannot be defined outside cultural implications as religious formations and groups into Nigeria dating it is in itself a culture indicator. Therefore, Blacking [2, from the colonial days, Nigerian music which hitherto p-89] states that; was traditionally oriented and functional got different varieties. However, the result was positively felt as the Music is a synthesis of cognitive processes society then started to witness various forms of music which are present in culture and in human types vis-à-vis the indigenous. These influences came body: the form it takes and effects it has on from the western world, Christianity and Islam. Their people, are generated by the social experiences roles rather than reduce music usage in our day to day of human bodies in different cultural life had made it more vibrant [5, p-20]. Added to this is environments. Because music is a humanly the stronger influence of Western education and organized sound, it expresses aspects of the urbanization which Merriam[6, p-34] stated that “the existence of individuals in society. general urban movements in Africa as a whole present many opportunities for exchange of musical ideas and Bergethan[3, p-16] admitted that “music is a probably tend gradually to blur sharp tribal stylistic force within our daily lives and is part of our heritage lines where they exist”. Thus, along the process of that provides means of aesthetic expressions”. acculturation that ensued as a result of the above Ordinarily, music be it popular, religious art or folk is a movements and influences, Nigerians now enjoy product of a creative process that takes place in man on various types, styles and forms of music which include daily basis and simply dictated by events measured in popular music, religious or gospel music. time, circumstance and place. Later on, Omideyi [4, p- 7] referred to it not just as a combination of sounds, but METHODOLOGY a mysterious force, which throughout the ages exerted a The methodology adopted in this paper is an in powerful influence on man. depth description of the different music genres that had formed the primary sources of music for various Political Campaigns Available Online: http://saspjournals.com/sjahss 423 Sunday Nnamani N.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2B):423-427 political campaigns. These include popular, religious ensure peace, love, sincerity, healthy ambition in all the and traditional music types. frontiers of policy-making and execution. The varieties include songs for supplication, devotion and in fact DISCUSSION songs for every aspect of life. Gospel music and The three types mentioned above are discussed musicians in Nigeria have been fulfilling this mission hereunder. ever since. Gospel music ranks second in its use during campaigns as simple choruses meant for devotional Popular Music worship are adapted to suit the whims and caprices of Going by its name and commonality of the political class. The lower and middle class also appreciation, popular music is indeed created for the follow suit. masses no matter the class one belongs. It is this type that takes the lead in political campaigns. Okafor [7, p- Traditional / Indigenous Music 3-4] defined it as; This is another type that had provided the Music that deals with familiar themes and local musician with the words and tunes which are very issues of the moment. It is understood and much liked by the common man. According to accepted by a lot of people not as a final Nketia[9, p-4], “there is no community in Africa that solution to their problems but as a topical has no music: Such a community without music would reflection of their sentiments and current world be considered dead”. In this era of grass-root politics view. Consequently, popular music is more and rural development initiatives, there is no better subject to change than any other genre of organ of information dissemination that does convince music… Popular music is therefore music with the rural populace than government programme put to broad, immediate and implicitly transient music. These compositions achieve better results when appeal. It is also social entertainment and they are sung in the local dialect of the community in dance-oriented and draws its core clientele question. from urban dwellers. Supporting the above assertion by Nketia[9- p- Expressing her own view about popular music, 3] said; Omibiyi-Obidike [8, p-1] said “the one that enjoys the All ethnic groups in Nigeria have their various greatest patron among all Nigerians is popular music traditional music and musicians and where the given its heterogeneity, general acceptance, high government has an information in its lingua, frequency of performance and high volume of sales, franca, the indigenous traditional musician Nigerian Popular music has emerged as an important draws the nationalistic message… to interpret National Idiom”. in the local idiom for instant appreciation and response. Its importance is overriding as it is a handy tool for the propagation of effective socio-political and The ethnicity in Nigeria is so varied that there economic messages in all languages used in the country. is no definition of a Nigerian beyond that of someone The various types include Highlife, Afro-rock, who lives within the borders of the country [10, p-4]. Rock”n”Roll, Jazz, Reggae, Calypso, Afro-juju, Blues, But these musicians do a lot of cleaning and purification Apala, Fuji, etc. assignments with their compositions as they preach good morals and ethics of good citizenship. Religious (Gospel) Music Fundamentally, this music type is exclusively Music in Politics for the worship of the Almighty God. Due to the fact In Nigeria, political movements and activities that it grew out of the church, the forum for have provided many a singer of popular music with performance was restricted therein, and this spanned some of his richest songs. He has been able to say or quite for a long time before sophistication in style, mirror the people’s mind, but may dish it out in a mild content, rhythm and instrumentation started to threaten form for fear of criticism and sanctions by the ruling its base and operationality. Omibiyi-Obidike [8, p-6] class. The themes consists of topic on “internal further confirmed that; struggles, the gap between the rich and the poor” evils perpetuated by unpatriotic elements, rumour mongering, Gospel music originally was used in the church drug addiction, get rich-quick syndrome etc[11, p-225]. and was performed at special festivals such as harvests, Specifically, Ubani [12, p-37] supported the above thanksgiving and so forth. However, with the electronic when he said that, technology and the need for youths to have the type of The creative activity in music as part of the music that caters for their social interest, gospel music strategy in political party election campaigns was taken out of the confines of the church. The truth involves a wide spectrum of meaningful remains that the foundation for a progressive society musical experience with sensitivity, fluency, depends on the level of its moral life which can always flexibility, analysis and coherent organization Available Online: http://saspjournals.com/sjahss 424 Sunday Nnamani N.; Sch. J. Arts. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2015; 3(2B):423-427 of musical ideas employed in communicating Which way to go? party slogans and proposals to the electorates. I love my fatherland; I want to know Such songs are short, repetitive and Which way Nigeria is heading to? rhythmical, very melodious and easily remembered. Sometimes the music is in form of jingles/slogans or Another was Fela Anikulapo – Kuti of blessed even composed in such a way that it will have a memory.
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